$1 MILLION TO REPLACE AGEING ENVIRONMENT ACT
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The ACT Government has earmarked $1 million for the replacement of plant and equipment used by Environment ACT to maintain the natural estate and reduce fire fuel, Chief Minister and Minister for the Environment Jon Stanhope said today.

“Reliable plant and equipment is fundamental to the work of Environment ACT in areas such as bushfire preparedness and suppression, weed control, management of recreation facilities and water quality management,” Mr Stanhope said.

“Environment ACT has a large amount of ageing plant and equipment, including 4WD trucks, tractors, backhoes and slashers, some of which is up to 12 years old and has reached the end of its useful life.

“Recovery work after the 2003 bushfires resulted in a significant increase in workload for this equipment, and the fuel management and trail maintenance measures recommended by the Inquiry into the Operational Response to the January 2003 Bushfires in the ACT (the McLeod Report) have made it more important than ever that we have reliable equipment available.

“The age of the existing plant and equipment means its reliability cannot be guaranteed. Unscheduled maintenance is already interrupting work programs.

“This Budget initiative will allow the purchase of new equipment with extended manufacturer warranties, significantly increasing equipment reliability and reducing maintenance costs and down time.”  
Statement ends